Oh let me count the many ways I love Disneys Grand Floridian Resort & Spa!
My husband and I first experienced the Grand Floridian Resort on our honeymoon for a wonderful 9-night stay. During our visit, took the Disney Vacation Club tour and became DVC members. While spending four weeks a year at great DVC resorts such as Bay Lake Tower, Boardwalk Villas, etc. sadly, we never returned for a stay at the Grand Floridian, but we would often visit their many dining locations, the lounge, the lobby and everything else this wonderful resort has to offer.
Over the years I absolutely fell in love with the ambiance that fills the halls of this exceptional resort. After having the opportunity to experience the many offerings of other resorts I had come to a decision. If ever Disney were to ever open a DVC component at the Grand Floridian, I would want to not only stay there, but also buy and own there.
Finally, after many years the rumors started floating around and I knew my opportunity was near! We debated on how many points to buy, what part of the year we would want to stay, (the same conversation most of you have shared in your household, no matter the resort). And then, the design the Disney Imagineers conceived was presented for us all to ponder - the pictures, the floor plans, the details that only Disney can create - Oh the glory of it all!!! I pounced, like a cheetah on a plump and juicy gazelle.
Finally, I could walk to breakfast at the Grand Floridian Cafe, stroll to dinner at Citricos, look forward to our rare but much anticipated next visit to Victoria and Alberts, and skip to the Senses Spa RIGHT ACROSS THE DRIVEWAY IN FRONT OF THE VILLAS! - floating "home" after a spa treatment.
We bought the first day we were able, sight unseen, with enough points for a studio every other year. After a brief period of time (one week or so) I realized I wanted to go every year and so we purchased a second round of points with husband completely on board, again sight unseen. Oh happy day!
Upon arriving on our next trip to WDW, I could not wait to see the model rooms at SSR in person. All the photographs were great and it did help that we had stayed in the Grand Floridian hotel, but they simply do not do justice to the real thing as walking through the model and seeing it first hand.
We headed out the door for the tour. The studio was lovely. However, then we left the studio and headed into the one bedroom. Wow! I immediately realized that although the studios are lovely, it would be impossible to hold back and not purchase more points for a one bedroom.
I'm not sure at what point I lost all control - all I can say is I literally ran down the hallway to head back outside, squealing as I ran across the outside driveway saying hurry, we need to buy more points!. I turned to see all the other visitors on the tour smiling at me and giving sympathetic looks to my husband. I ran to the door only to hear the woman at the podium outside saying, no, no, come over hear, I have to set up an appointment. We met her at the podium gave her Maribellas name and I tried to wait patiently.
Let me put it this way, it was so clear from my demeanor that we were going to purchase more points she gave a "code red" announcement (well, not literally ) over the radio. We have a couple here that are ready to buy-buy-buy! Please get a room ready and let their rep know, and in we went.
The rest went rather fast as we have been down this points add-on road enough times before. All we really needed to do was calculate how many more points we needed to get a one bedroom every year. We flew through the paperwork and the deal was done! After the boring part was over, I asked our rep if she would walk us through the one bedroom again due to most of it being a blur for me.
And now here we are, enjoying the place we spent our honeymoon, and we get to come back every year, which allows us to take the time to express appreciation and thank one another for the support we give each other. But also to remember when our lives started as a couple and how we have changed and grown, but doing so together. With ups and downs, always together that, my friends, is truly priceless.
And although I would not suggest anyone purchase points at any resort sight unseen, we had had the good fortune of starting our lives, our love and our friendship here. So if you know yourself well and are capable of knowing in your heart and mind what works for your family - don't hold back. Life is short, we all need to remember and take time for our loved ones, our closest relationships and ourselves. We owe it to ourselves to honor what is truly important: happiness.
May all your wishes come true.
